The qualifying for the 2014 World Cup for the European nations will begin September 7, 2012, with 53 nations competing for 13 berths in the Brazil World Cup. Nine teams that will win the groups will qualify, and the 8 best runner ups will compete in a 2 leg playoffs, determined by a draw, to decide the last 4 qualifiers.

Group A

Quite a tight group, with one very intense match between the two favorites to finish on top, Croatia and Serbia. Belgium and Scotland will probably be eyeing the second spot as well.

Croatia

Serbia

Belgium

Scotland

Macedonia

Wales

Group B

Italy will face most of their problems from Denmark in this one, but nothing much else. They tend to finish first with boring fashion every time.

Italy

Denmark

Czech Republic

Bulgaria

Armenia

Malta

Group C

Germany should make it through with little disturbance from Ireland and Sweden, both probably battling for the second spot.

Germany

Sweden

Ireland

Austria

Faroe Islands

Kazakhstan

Group D

Forget about 2002. The Netherlands, along with Spain, are usually the best team across the continent during the qualifiers. No one in this one is even close. The battle for second is wide open though.

Netherlands

Turkey

Hungary

Romania

Estonia

Andorra

Group E

A very tight and open group. Norway, Switzerland and Slovenia are hardly apart and will finish in the top two spots.

Norway

Slovenia

Switzerland

Albania

Cyprus

Iceland

Group F

Portugal haven’t been having it easy in recent qualifiers. Russia can be a handful. The rest? Maybe, maybe Israel can cause some problems. Maybe.

Portugal

Russia

Israel

Northern Ireland

Azerbaijan

Luxembourg

Group G

Another wide open group. Each of the first three teams can finish on top. Advantage? Probably Greece, by an inch.

Greece

Slovakia

Bosnia

Lithuania

Latvia

Lichtenstein

Group H

England have a rather comfortable draw with known opponents. Some of them haven’t made it easy for Capello’s men in recent clashes.

England

Montenegro

Ukraine

Poland

Moldova

San Marino

Group I

One mega match, well actually two. France vs Spain. No chance those two don’t finish as the best 2 teams. Spain are clear favorites, understandably.